Canada Post Employee’s COVID-19 Vaccination Mandate Disrupts Parcel Service in Small Town | The Canadian News

The only Canada Post location in Lamont, Alta. It was temporarily closed on Monday, the same day a nationwide COVID-19 vaccine mandate went into effect for Canada Post workers.

As of Nov. 26, employees had to be at least partially vaccinated or on leave without pay, the company said.

The local president of the Canadian Postmasters and Assistants Association (CPAA), which represents more than 500 rural Canada Post employees in Alberta, told Global News that at least six other Canada Post locations could not open Monday due to shortages. of personal.

It wasn’t immediately clear if the vaccine mandate was the reason for the Lamont shutdown, but residents drew their own conclusions.

“(I’m) very upset,” said resident Dianne Prusak. “I have packages coming in. How do I get them?”

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In a statement to Global News, Canada Post said that the vast majority of its employees comply with “Mandatory Vaccination Practice.”

“We do not anticipate any major service interruptions. There may be some isolated cases where a post office may see a reduced hours or temporarily close due to personnel problems, ”the statement read.

A note to customers at the Lamont location did not provide an estimated time for a reopening and instructed people to go to Chipman, eight miles down the road.

The city’s mayor, Kirk Perrin, said he was disappointed by the disruption of the parcel service because of how comprehensive it is for residents and businesses.

“I have baby supplies at the post office that came in last night and I can’t get them for I don’t know how long now,” Perrin said.

Canada Post declined to comment on how many or which communities are affected by its employees’ vaccination mandate.

The president of the CPAA, Khan Moffatt-Toews told Global News that temporary employees have been hired to work at some locations.